Can Dubia Roaches Infest Your House?

Get to Know the Dubia Roach

The Dubia roach is found in parts of Central and South America. It is a tropical species that requires both warmth and humidity. Most homes lack both of these, which are necessary for the Dubia roach to breed and thrive, making it difficult for them to become an infestation concern.

Yeah, But Do Dubia Roaches Fly?

Dubia roaches cannot climb up smooth surfaces and are not likely to escape from enclosures or containers. That being said, we know what you're wondering: Can Dubia roaches fly? Although the male does have wings, they’re mostly useless. This species of roach doesn't take off at random like a bee or other flying insect, nor is it going to chase you. Flying is very rare, and at most, the male Dubia roach can “flutter” if it is dropped or falls from somewhere high, mostly to help it land. They’re not very adept at controlling their direction in flight.

Why Use Dubia Roaches as Feeders?

Dubia roaches have quickly become a popular staple as feeder insects for many reasons. Whether you are feeding reptiles, other invertebrates or even birds and mammals, the Dubia roach contains a high amount of protein, calcium and minerals while also being low in chitin and fat. They have a fleshy body with less “shell,” so your animal will ingest more nutrients per individual roach as compared to other feeders. Common feeders, such as crickets, are high in chitin, are loud, stink and can harbor many internal parasites to pass onto your animal. Others, such as mealworms and superworms, are very high in fat. Dubia roaches, on the other hand, are easy to keep, quiet, cannot climb smooth surfaces (making escapes highly unlikely), and can be kept and bred easily in a container somewhere in your garage or dark closet. Can Dubia roaches infest your house? It's highly unlikely. Setting up your own colony of Dubia roaches is a great idea if you want to maintain a supply of healthy food for your pets that eat insects.

The Importance of Gut Loading

Gut loading is important when it comes to any feeder, and can be done with Dubia roaches as well. Some breeders have created their own “roach chows," while others choose to feed their roaches a mix of vegetables and other food items. Either way, when you feed your own roaches, you can be certain as to what is going into them. Dubia roaches almost completely lack a smell. The only odor typically comes from the food inside their enclosures or if their egg flats or cardboard slats happen to get wet or molded from excess moisture, none of which has anything to do with the roach itself.

Unlike crickets and red runners, Dubia roaches aren’t quick, nor do they hop. They’re not the kind of roaches that many of us are familiar with that scurry across the back porch or floor at seemingly impossible speeds. This is the image that unfortunately creeps into everybody’s mind at the mention of the word “cockroach.” Dubia roaches are slow-moving and easy to grab if dropped, and are fairly clean in comparison to other insects. They can also be prolific breeders, with a single female producing up to 35 babies per clutch. The only downside to this feeder is that they are unable to be imported into both Florida and Hawaii.

In conclusion, the Dubia roach is an excellent candidate as a feeder insect. Easily housed, kept and even bred, they are quickly becoming the go-to feeder for many keepers.